This could almost be updated to WHAT is a fax machine. A surprising number of financial institutions are still asking people to print out an application from their website and then either drop it in the mail or fax it into the branch. It’s surprising to many organizations that many of us, regardless of age, don’t have ready access to a fax machine (and haven’t purchased a stamp in years). Years ago, being able to post an application online for visitors to fill out in advance was considered the ultimate in convenience. No more coming into the branch and spending an hour filling out paperwork! Fill it out before you get here and think of the time you’ll save! It’s 2019. If you don’t have online applications or the ability to apply through the website or app at all, it is time to review your convenience services and digital presence.
.org Now For Profit?
.org Now For Profit?
It happened rather quietly just before Thanksgiving. The Public Interest Registry – or PIR – announced a plan to sell the entirety of the top level .org domain to a private equity group, Ethos Capital. The terms of the sale, including price, weren’t released and the sale won’t be finalized until January. Assuming the same does go through, what does it mean for the .org domains which are used almost entirely by non-profits like charities and not-for-profits like credit unions? Potentially some expensive changes.
According to CNN.com, this isn’t the first time that a for-profit company has owned the .org top level domain. Verisign owned it from 1995 to 2003. The difference according to experts is that Ethos has only been in business since May of this year and PIR is one of their first investments. The Internet Society — a non-profit itself that created the PIR in 2002 — says the private firm could increase the price of domains by 10%, a big concern for companies who own hundreds or thousands of domains. Another concern is potential censorship on the .org domains. As of December 4th, over 12,500 people have signed a petition opposing the same. Organizations including the Girl Scouts of America and the YMCA have signed as well. Many experts believe the sale will go through despite the opposition.
There has historically been a cap on the amount a .org domain can be sold for. The theory being that since the buyer isn’t making a profit, the sellers should have limits on their profits as well. When – or if – the Ethos purchase goes through, that cap could be eliminated. That means credit unions, community groups and other users of the .org domains would be wise to extend the purchase on their domains for as long as possible. If you can get a ten-year agreement in place, now may be a very wise time to do so.
Quick Facts
.org domains on the internet currently
Amount of people who have signed the petition opposing sale
The average price of a .org domain
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Facebook Cracks Down on Ad Discrimination
If your latest campaign features loans or credit of any kind, your ads won’t run if you don’t follow Facebook’s new rules.
What the Financial Industry Can Learn From Online Grocers
What the Financial Industry Can Learn From Online Grocers
Over 75% of Americans shop online. A whopping three-quarters of the population buy clothes, diapers, dog food, or something via the internet. Yet Google says only 3% of grocery shopping down in America is currently done online.¹ Three percent. A meager figure when compared to clothing (58%) or electronics (48%).² So why should those in the financial industry pay attention to online grocery sales? Potential.
New research says the percent of grocery sales happening online is expected to triple in the next ten years. It is one of the final verticals that was thought to be ‘digital-proof’. That is, that consumers would never be willing or able to purchase their perishables in the same way they order new dress socks. The same research says that even among consumers who haven’t purchased groceries online before, when and if the time comes, they’ll consider their local brick and mortar as their first preferred option. The research also says while those consumers may not be buying online yet, they are shopping online. In fact, 50% of offline shoppers say they are influenced by digital.
Now, let’s replace all the grocery terms with things like account opening, loan application and others from the FI world and this certainly becomes a trend to keep an eye on. As grocers work to figure out how to shape the behaviors of early adopters, how to serve customers online in a way that replicates their in-person service and how to generate loyalty, the entire trend feels a lot like the place banks and credit unions have found themselves over the last decade and continue to find themselves today. As you consider your digital offerings, you may want to keep the product aisle in mind.
Check out more similarities and read the full article here.
Sources:
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Our Four-Legged Friend has a new fresh face
Our Four-Legged Friend has a new fresh face
It’s an exciting time at uncommn Marketing Partners!
As part of our overall refresh of the Dollar Dog Kids Club® youth account program, the all new DollarDogKidsClub.com has launched! Our team has been hard at work over the last couple of months creating new digital content that is sure to benefit our credit union clients and members alike.So, what does this mean?
> It means it’s now easier than ever for clients to promote Dollar Dog to members.
With downloadable and printable activity pages and branch flyers, as well as customizable social media copy and new social media graphics that you use on your credit union’s personal social media pages, it is now easier than ever to connect, interact, and engage with the youngest members of your credit union! Not a member yet? Email [email protected] to get started.> It means greater collaboration.
Our Dollar Dog Kids Club® clients asked for the chance to engage with other participating credit unions, and we listened! The new website has a clients only section that will featured a forum for questions and feedback between credit unions across the country. All Dollar Dog clients are invited to share ideas, experiences, and recommendations with each other as well as with our team of experts to make the program stronger and more interactive than ever before.> It means any links to the old Dollar Dog website that exist on your credit union’s website will need to change.
For current clients, the link to your individual page has changed. You should have gotten an email containing the link to your new Dollar Dog page. If you haven’t, feel free to email [email protected], and we will send it to you right away.
We’re so excited about the changes to the Dollar Dog Kids Club® program, and are excited for the changes that are still to come–we hope you are, too! However, we can’t do it without YOU. If you have any feedback or recommendations as to what you’d like to see in Dollar Dog’s future, email [email protected] or call us at (877) 827-2427.
THE 10 YEAR CHALLENGE FOR YOUR BRAND
THE 10 YEAR CHALLENGE FOR YOUR BRAND
It can be hard to pinpoint the exact origin of some social media trends. Seemingly overnight, timelines and feeds are flooded with people dumping ice water over their heads or, as happened in January, pictures from 10 years ago and today. Some called it the 10 Year Challenge. Others were a little harsher, asking “How Hard Did Age Hit You”. In just a few days, over 5.2 million people shared images of themselves from 2009 and today. Beyond something to look back on — and potentially laugh at — the 10 year challenge also provided a great reminder to do a status check on your brand and how it is holding up over time.
Here are four questions to ask to see if you’ve been keeping up with the times or if you’re stuck in 2009:
1) Is our website up-to-date
The site doesn’t have to be brand new to still feel fresh, however it is imperative that you take into account these factors:
- Is the site responsive, designed for optimum performance on mobile devices?
- Do you still have a separate mobile-only site?
- Is the site accessible to users of all abilities?
2) What is our video strategy?
Marketing in 2019 means more consumer touchpoints than ever in history. To think that a potential member only interacts with your brand in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5 wasn’t true in 2009 and it definitely isn’t true now. What is true is that video offers compelling, memorable content that can be easily shared on social media, your website and even in-branch digital displays and on some ATMs. While smartphones have made video more affordable and accessible than in the past, it is important that your videos are part of your overarching marketing strategy. Posting a Boomerang of a team member dancing in the break room may be fun but is it accomplishing a goal? Does it fit your overall message and brand voice? Plan strategic ways to share content and use video as a tool to drive further engagement.
3) How is our app?
If the answer is “what app?” then it is time for a serious meeting with your team. According to the Mobile Ecosystem Forum, in 2017 over 61% of Americans said they used mobile banking. While many said they were simply checking their balance in their respective app, the number of tasks completed per app use has been going up in recent years. Lacking a user-friendly app could be a factor for many younger demo users in whether they choose to join or go to a more digital-savvy competitor.
4) Bonus Question - Where is the fax machine?
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Watching Is Believing: 6 Compelling Stats for Video
Watching Is Believing: 6 Compelling Stats for Video
2019 has been called the year of the pig, the year of child-free travel and the year of artificial intelligence. Instead, it’s time to declare 2019 The Year of Video.
While video has certainly been growing in opportunity and importance over the last half dozen years, 2019 is already shaping up to be the year that video
truly becomes a ubiquitous component to marketing plans at every budget level. Long gone are the days of expensive broadcast television being the primary (or only) avenue for video to reach consumers. The advent of social media, camera and editing equipment becoming more affordable, and even the extremely high-quality camera being included in smartphones mean that video is more accessible than ever before.
The arguments for video have been made many times. You know that video is attention-grabbing, conveys and evokes emotions, and is well-favored by search engines and social media algorithms. But just in case you have any team members or executives who are slow to the watch party, here are some compelling stats to keep in your back pocket for your next strategy meeting to make the case for video:
500 MILLION. That’s how many people are watching video on Facebook every single day, according to Forbes.1 A figure that large tends to stand on its own without further need to clarify. If a half a billion people are engaging with something — anything really — don’t you want to be part of it?
85%. By 2020, online videos will make up more than 85% of consumer internet traffic in the US according to Cisco2. Live Internet video will account for 17 percent of Internet video traffic by 2022. Live video will grow 15-fold from 2017 to 2022.
200%. Video isn’t just a social media win. Forrester reports including video in an email leads to a 200-300%increase in click-through rate3. It’s important to remember that the best practice is to link to a video hosted elsewhere rather than embedding it as many browsers will block the content. Even if your email platform allows the video to be embedded, the email’s file size could be too much for many inboxes to handle or to recognize as non-spam. Instead, use a screenshot or thumbnail that is clearly identifiable as a video link (consider overlaying a play button) to keep your email size small and ensure maximum inbox delivery. It’s worth noting, one study found simply putting the word ‘video’ in your subject line led to an almost 20% increase in open rates.
15 SECONDS: The length that average consumers say they want a video to be. Just five years ago, the average business video was 60-90 seconds long. As the popularity of Instagram, Snapchat and even the now-defunct Vine increased, video lengths decreased. Regardless of total video length, it has widely been shown that you have 10 seconds or less to hook a consumer before they move onto the next topic. The old journalism adage ‘Don’t bury the lead!’ holds true with video now more than ever.
59%: It isn’t just kids watching videos. According to Forbes, 59% of executives say if given the option to watch a video or read text on the same topic, they would make the video choice.4 If you have a point to share, consider using video on social media or your website to introduce the idea and engage the viewer. Then provide an option of more information via text copy.
1.8 BILLION: The estimated number of words a video is worth, according to a 2014 report from Forrester Research. That number has only have increased in the years since that initial finding.
2019 has been called the year of the pig, the year of child-free travel and the year of artificial intelligence. Instead, it’s time to declare 2019 The Year of Video.
While video has certainly been growing in opportunity and importance over the last half dozen years, 2019 is already shaping up to be the year that video
1https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2017/09/22/top-10-video-marketing-trends-and-statistics-roundup-2017/#273275647103
2https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/white-paper-c11-741490.htm
3https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/video-marketing-statistics#sm.0000h4rgwfoa1fouwqm23llpma557
4http://congo.io/blog/2017/11/27/20-most-important-video-marketing-statistics-for-2018
5https://digiday.com/media/silent-world-facebook-video/
6https://www.wirebuzz.com/video-marketing-statistics/
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ADA Lawsuits are Increasing. Is Your Website Compliant?
ADA Lawsuits are Increasing. Is Your Website Compliant?
The American Disabilities Act, passed by Congress in 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability. Over the years, the ADA addressed physical accommodations—often in public places—such as ramps, elevators, and bathrooms. However, as technology advanced in the marketplace, the requirements were rarely applied to digital content and websites. In 2016, several lawsuits were filed in relation to website compliance with the ADA. Rulings were inconsistent, which only served to muddy the compliance waters further. Where judges saw uncertainty, lawyers saw opportunity.
A Crisis of Confusion
In an attempt to capitalize on the ADA ambiguity, attorneys across the United States began to file discrimination lawsuits at an alarming rate. While this may seem like a recent problem, statistics show that the trend has been building for some time. From 2005 to 2017, the total number of ADA case filings rose by a staggering 521%. And while that increase is worrisome on its own, there is further cause for concern due to the fact that there were more ADA-related lawsuits filed in the first half of 2018 than all of 2017 combined.
This uptick in legal action caught the attention of several lawmakers who expressed their concern to the Attorney General of the United States in a letter which stated, “Unless the Department acts, this trend will only continue and even more lawsuits and demand letters will follow.”
What are the hallmarks of an ADA compliant website?
According to the most recent updates to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, for a website to qualify as ADA compliant, it must be:
What does this mean for your credit union?
As consumers demand online banking services, digital account management, and instant access to financial information, your credit union faces a choice. Should you try to save money up front by launching or maintaining a website that is not ADA compliant? This idea may seem sensible at first, but when you consider the outrageous costs associated with potential litigation, the risk hardly seems worth it. The best approach would be to work with a web design company that understands the nuances of ADA compliance and specializes in building compliant websites at a fair price. Investing in a compliant website up front can save you from staggering legal fees over the long run.
At Uncommn, we know what it takes to create a fully functional website that is not only ADA compliant, but also easy for your members to navigate. We work exclusively with credit unions and community banks, so we know how to develop creative, focused, cost-effective solutions that can take your website—and your business—to the next level.
For more information about our company or our website design services, please call us at (864) 908-9291 or visit us online at getuncommn.com.
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Why I hate my website company
Why I hate my website company
My survey methods weren’t scientific, but out of curiosity, I asked several of my clients at uncommn Marketing Partners what they hated most about their website vendor. Here are some of the answers I received:
- Inept. Old Technology.
- Non-responsive. Disappears.
- Too slow.
- Doesn’t listen. Incompetent.
- Misleading. Poor communication.
- Technical limitations.
- Never delivered. Overpromised. Missed deadlines. Outsourced.
- Rude. Short. Doesn’t exist anymore.
- Vendor was always slow to respond. Poor service.
- Over their heads.
- Out of their capabilities.
- Couldn’t execute.
- Not committed.
- No control. Developers won’t give access.
- CMS constraints.
- Missed deadlines.
- Hates their vendor.
- Delays. Lack of capacity.
- Communication problems. Designer fell off the earth.
I think you get the point. For such a small sampling of responses, there was certainly no lack of complaints.
At uncommn Marketing Partners, our team functions as the virtual VP of Marketing for more than 35 credit unions throughout the country. While serving in this role for the past 10 years, we’ve had the opportunity to work with dozens of website companies. Through that experience, we have gained a thorough understanding of our clients’ frustrations and disappointments, and we decided to do something about it. That’s precisely why we founded Uncommn.
If you’re thinking about refreshing your website—or just blowing it up and starting anew—here are a few tips to help you find the right partner:
- Communication. Are they quick to respond to your initial request? If not, there’s a good chance their responsiveness won’t get much better after you hire them.
- Process. What is their project management process? What support do they offer during and after the website launch? Quality website vendors take the time to define their processes and procedures clearly.
- Promises. If a company promises they can complete your new website in 30 days, be wary. You’re probably receiving a templated site that will contain multiple content and coding errors once it’s launched. Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Recently, the digital marketplace has seen multiple website companies pop up to capitalize on the unfortunate ADA lawsuit craze. While they may have a sound designer and a savvy programmer, many of these companies forget to focus on service. Even worse, few of them know how to keep a project on track. They make incredible promises up front, but their post-launch commitment is shaky at best. When it’s all said and done, most of these companies will likely follow the ADA lawsuit fad—they’ll fade as quickly as they appeared.
“How Much Should My Website Cost?”
“How Much Should My Website Cost?”
Asking this question is a lot like asking, “How much does a house cost?” There’s more than one answer. Housing prices depend on variables like the size of the house, its location, and whether it has extras like a swimming pool or a fancy French bidet. When it comes to pricing a website, our research suggests you should expect to pay at least $10,000. Of course, that’s assuming your sister’s friend’s cousin who is taking a web design class in middle school didn’t offer to build it for $500.
That being said, a more elaborate website could easily run you $100,000 or more. The final number depends on the site’s complexity and your expectations.
At uncommn, we’re not interested in being the “budget buster” of website companies. We believe your website should function as a digital branch—not simply an online brochure. As more of your target market (those elusive Millennials and members of Gen Z) demand easy access and instant information, your website should allow them to find answers quickly and conduct business efficiently.
Since launching our business in 2017, we’ve had one goal: to help small and mid-size credit unions be able to afford a new website. But more than just providing a new site, we want to produce a site that meets industry compliance standards as well as the needs of your younger, tech-savvy members. Unlike certain companies that are taking advantage of ADA lawsuits, we’re not a fly-by-night venture looking to make a quick buck. We’re dedicated to building quality websites designed for immediate impact and long-term success.
So, let’s circle back and answer your original question, “How much should my website cost?” At uncommn, we can develop a new site within a few weeks and deliver it for less than the $10,000 average. And while your credit union will receive a visually appealing website with impressive functionality, the benefits of working with us extend far beyond the site itself. Since we don’t outsource, you gain the confidence that comes from knowing your website is planned, designed, and built by full-time team members who understand the importance of a creating a seamless member experience. Once your site is live, our post-launch service is second-to-none. We won’t leave you hanging, and most importantly, we won’t make promises we can’t keep.
Thanks to our focused strategy, we don’t take on more business than we can handle. When we commit to providing essential website services on budget and on schedule, we stand behind that promise. In an industry where companies routinely make wild claims they can’t back up, our selective, customer-centered approach makes us different. You might even say it makes us—uncommn.
ADA Compliance Isn’t Just for Members
ADA Compliance Isn’t Just for Members
It’s been over a year since the first rash of ADA-compliance demand letters started dropping at credit unions across the country. As executives know, these letters threatened legal action against the credit union on behalf of disabled clients who were unable to fully use the CU’s website.
As time has passed, many of these cases have been resolved without either party setting foot in a courtroom. Even for those cases that made it before a judge, many of the lawsuits – a large number of them in Virginia– were dismissed at the request of the credit unions, due in large part to the fact that the people bringing the lawsuits were not members and could not show harm.
That credit union-friendly trend may have come to an end last week when a court in Michigan ruled a visually impaired plaintiff could seek damages against Belle River Community Credit Union despite the fact that she was not a member. The court said the website acts as an extension of the credit union’s brick and mortar operation and should offer the same level of accessibility.
If your site isn’t ADA compliant or if you’re not sure if you’re vulnerable to legal action, get in touch with us. The uncommn team specializes in building compliant, mobile-friendly, conversion-optimized websites. Click here to see our work and schedule a demo today.
Read more about the Michigan lawsuit hereopens in a new window.